My Core is the Boss

Seeing the Rooster Demon hurrying inside, Qi Yuan called after it, "Hey, Rooster Demon, wait up!"

If the other demons were merely substitute versions, then the Rooster Demon was worthy of being called half a white moonlight. Unfortunately, the moment it heard Qi Yuan's voice, the Rooster Demon sped up even more, not pausing for even a moment.

Holding Little Bride's icy sleeve, Qi Yuan fell into thought, muttering, "Did he guess that I wanted him to help pay off my loan?"

He was planning to buy an Arch Star property, and the Rooster Demon seemed perfectly suited for repaying a mortgage.

Little Bride nodded, obedient and utterly agreeable, as if fully endorsing Qi Yuan's words. Qi Yuan burst into laughter and drew her slender waist even closer. From her sleeve, a wooden plaque with the word "happy" fell out. No one knew whether she was amused by Qi Yuan's words, or because he had called her the wife he had married with a grand, eight-bearer bridal sedan.

The abandoned courtyard was exceptionally deep and full of shadow, but with Little Bride beside him, everything somehow felt warm and serene.

"Come on, Little Bride, let's go meet my white moonlight together."

As Qi Yuan held her cold sleeve, he found himself wondering, What if Little Bride got jealous and decided to kill all these white moonlights? Should I help her?

After all, wife and white moonlight were natural enemies. With such bizarre thoughts in mind, Qi Yuan and Little Bride ventured deeper into the courtyard. Along the way, he saw many hunched servants. Their expressions were numb as they swept the ground or served tea. A closer look revealed that their throats and ears had been ruined by poison.

Upon arriving, a servant came forward to guide them to the dilapidated main hall. Before even reaching it, Qi Yuan already caught a strong smell of preserved rot.

From within the hall, Old Yang said in a cultured, gentle voice, "Fellow Daoists, although I invited all of you here, I am unable to provide fresh food. I feel deeply ashamed. These salted jerkies are all that I can offer. Please make do."

He had triangular horns and a beard that reached all the way to his waist. The man put “long-haired” people to shame. Had a person from Blue Planet been here, they would have recited a poem, "When my hair grows to my waist, will you marry me then?"

A wolf spirit in a tattered kasaya robe grabbed a strip of meat and stuffed it into his mouth. "Old Yang, this jerky should have some candied fruit added. I like it sweet, not salty."

The Rooster Demon also chimed in, "I prefer it spicy. Otherwise, it won't cover up the rank smell of human flesh."

The demons in the hall all began talking at once.

Old Yang asked, "I heard we also have a rather peculiar fellow daoist joining our gathering. I wonder whether they have arrived?"

"I heard it is a wedding robe that has become a spirit. It is truly rare. I’ve lived for three hundred years, yet I have never seen a sentient wedding robe."

"Well, now you have!" Qi Yuan exclaimed brightly, leading Little Bride with him into the hall. "This is my wife, Little Bride. As for me, I am Qi Yuan. Lawful good."

The instant he entered, his eyes swept across the dozen or so demons. Within his eyes was an excitement so intense that it was almost unbearable. It was as though he had finally met a long-lost white moonlight after years of yearning.

The demons were momentarily stunned by his gaze, but most of their attention quickly shifted to Little Bride. Strange demons always drew attention.

A two-hundred-year-old elder voiced his suspicion, "A Wedding Garment Demon? I’ve never heard of such a thing. I do not sense any demonic aura whatsoever. Could it be someone from the Demon-Slaying Bureau?"

The other demons nodded as well, especially since this Wedding Garment Demon had brought a human man with her.

"If Elder Tree allowed her in, then she is undoubtedly one of our kind. Do you dare question Elder Tree?" said Old Yang, dispelling all the doubts in the room.

Having lived an absurdly long time, Elder Tree's strength was unfathomable. He had remained rooted here for several centuries. Even this two-hundred-year-old elder's grandfather had once seen Elder Tree. Elder Huang and the aquatic clan elder also treated Elder Tree with great respect.

The demons all nodded, accepting Old Yang's explanation.

Old Yang gestured courteously. "Fairy, please take a seat."

Qi Yuan held Little Bride's hand and prepared to sit.

Just then, Rooster Demon’s shrill, acidic voice rang out. "This is a gathering of demons. Humans may not take a seat!"

Though it feared the Wedding Garment Demon, with so many demons gathered here, it had found some courage.

Qi Yuan's expression shifted several times before turning dejected. "Oh no, you've seen through my lie. Haa... Little Bride wasn’t carried into my home in an eight-bearer bridal sedan. I was the one carried into hers. I know that a live-in son-in-law has no rights and cannot sit at the table. I won't sit. Just don't make me drink foot-washing water."

With a moral compass as strong as his, not being allowed a seat was a humiliation he could only swallow.

Next time when Ning Tao came over, if they were getting a marriage certificate, he would secretly switch things up and register one with Little Bride as well. That would shed the disgraceful status of a live-in son-in-law.

Little Bride took his cue and happily sat down. On the reddish-brown table were tea and salted strips of human jerky.

The Rooster Demon asked, "Old Yang, why exactly have you invited us all here this time?"

Its words drew the attention of every demon. The demons of Yunyan County had each gathered at several strongholds to hold the Demon Ascension Conference. All these ordinary demons had received invitations to attend, but none of them knew its purpose.

Old Yang smiled. "I have invited you all here for two matters. The first matter will begin shortly. As for the second, it concerns the future of every demon in Yunyan County, so we must wait for Elder Huang to arrive and announce it."

His words stirred a wave of commotion through the hall.

"It concerns our future?! Old Yang, don't exaggerate!"

"Could it be that the Demon-Slaying Bureau plans to exterminate us?"

The demons grew anxious and restless.

"Everyone, please remain calm. I can only say that it is not bad news. If anything, it’s a good thing for all of you. Now, let me first announce the first matter." Old Yang's gaze turned cold. "Bring Yang Fan in!"

The servants entered from outside, dragging in a disheveled sheep demon. Snot and tears were all over his face, making him look utterly miserable. "Uncle, spare me... I'll change!"

The expressions of all the demons changed.

"Isn't that Old Yang's most beloved nephew? What crime did he commit?"

"Looks like Old Yang is serious this time!"

Old Yang's expression was icy, his voice sharp. "Prepare the oil cauldron."

The servants hurriedly went to work. Soon, an oil cauldron was set up in the center of the hall. Firewood blazed beneath it as oil boiled violently above.

Killing intent flashed in Old Yang's eyes. "This worthless nephew of mine colluded with the human race, becoming a traitor to demonkind! For a mere bit of silver, he leaked news of the Demon Ascension Conference to the Demon-Slaying Bureau. Therefore, he must die and suffer execution by deep-frying."

Yang Fan wailed frantically, "Uncle, I didn't mean it, huhu... Spare me..."

Yang Fan utterly regretted what he did. He had taken a fancy to the tender flesh of a courtesan, but it required money. When he didn't have enough, what did he do? He sold information. Who knew this time he would be caught, and his uncle would insist on frying him alive?

Tears streamed endlessly from his eyes, as if he wished they could become an ocean and dilute the boiling oil in the cauldron.

Old Yang's tone allowed no defiance. "Throw him into the oil!"

The cries, curses, and pleas merged into a scene of utter misery.

Overflowing with sympathy, Qi Yuan could no longer sit still. "Haa... Look at how pitiful he is, crying so miserably. I really can't bear to see him being thrown into the oil cauldron. How about this? I'll buy him from you. Don't fry him. Fried monsters are not great." [1]

1. ***E/N:He’s gonna save the demon ...for later. ☜